President Joe Biden’s nominee for U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington appeared to have a hard time answering a question about articles of the U.S. Constitution.
During her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said to Charnelle Bjelkengren, “Tell me what Article V of the Constitution does.”
She replied, “Article V is not coming to mind at the moment.”
Kennedy responded, “How about Article II?”
Bjelkengren said, “Neither is Article II.”
He then asked her about “purposivism.”
She explained, “In my 12 years as an assistant attorney general, in my nine years serving as a judge, I was not faced with that precise question.”
Bjelkengren added, “We are the highest trial court in Washington state, so I’m frequently faced with issues that I’m not familiar with, and I thoroughly review the law, I research, and apply the law to the facts presented to me.”
Kennedy then told her, “Well, you’re going to be faced with it if you’re confirmed, I can assure you of that.”
Watch the video below:
JUDICIARY: At yesterday's Senate Judiciary Cmte hearing, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) asked Judge Charnelle Bjelkengren, Pres. Biden's nominee to be US District Judge for the Eastern District of Washington, what Articles 2 and 5 of the Constitution do, but she was unable to do so. pic.twitter.com/VqgQDsKmmg
— Forbes (@Forbes) January 26, 2023
According to Fox News, Bjelkengren graduated from Mankato State University.
The judge went on to get her law degree in 2000 from Gonzaga University School of Law.
Article V of the Constitution explains the amendment process while Article II details the role of the executive branch.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called on lawmakers to work together on Biden’s judicial picks.
“Elections have consequences,” Graham said.
He added, “Let’s work together and see if we can get some nominations moving.”
Durbin explained, “We ask them to engage with the White House in good faith.”
Other nominees included Orelia Eleta Merchant for the Eastern District of New York; and Michael Farbiarz and Robert Kirsch, both for the District of New Jersey, as Bloomberg reported.
